THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



Alsophila. — A family of noble tree ferns of which three species are recommended : 

 A. australis, Java and Malaya; form stems 10 to 30 feet high; fronds bi-pinnate and 

 from 6 to 12 feet long. Cool stove species. A. Leichardtiana (Fig. 100), distinct and 

 handsome, allied to the former, succeeds in a greenhouse. It grows in the woods near 

 Sydney, and is there known as the "Whip-stick" Fern. A. excelsa, Norfolk Island, 

 stem slender, and from 10 to 30 feet high ; fronds bi-pinnate, ovate, lanceolate, and 

 from 6 to 15 feet in length ; greenhouse. Alsophilas are propagated by spores. For 

 other information see Tree Ferns, page 155. 



Anemia. — A small genus of stove or warm greenhouse ferns, principally from 



Tropical America. The species 

 most in favour are A. Dregeana, 



and succeeding in a shady position in a stove- warm greenhouse or conservatory. May 

 be planted in borders or tubs, in equal parts of loam, peat, leaf-soil and sand. Increased 

 by spores. 



Aspidium. — Shield Fern. This genus comprises stove, greenhouse, and hardy species. 

 Three desirable stove species are A. dilaceratum, A. macrophyllum, and A. viviparum; 

 A. mucronatum succeeding in a greenhouse. Shade from sun. Pot in a mixture of loam, 

 peat, leaf-soil and sandstone, and increase by spores. 



Asplenium. — A large genus which includes a considerable number of popular 

 species, all of which can be cultivated without difficulty. A collection may well com- 

 prise A. Belangeri, A. formosum, A. longissimum, A. novse-caledonise, A. nobile, and A. 



A. fraxinifolia. Synonymous, 

 Anemidictyon Phyllitidis. "Well 

 adapted for growing with other 

 dwarf kinds in cases (Fig. 105), 

 and succeed in moist, shady posi- 

 tions. Suitable soil — equal parts 

 of fibrous loam and peat, with an 

 admixture of sand. Propagated 

 by spores. 



Angiopteris. — A. evecta, from 

 the Tropics of the Old World, is 

 the only species in cultivation, this 

 attaining a height of 3 to 6 feet, 



Fig. 104. Adiantttm Farleyense. 



